Experience

Unique Legal Expertise

Joan Demarest has over 19 years experience in criminal law to put to work for her clients. She has prosecuted and defended thousands of cases including Aggravated Murder, Measure 11 violent crimes and sex offenses, drug cases, property crimes including Burglary and Identity Theft, DUIIs, traffic violations, minor in possession of alcohol, and marijuana offenses.

Joan Demarest’s legal experience is enhanced by the fact that when she sees a problem with the current law, she finds a way to fix it.

After successfully prosecuting the murder of Karly Sheehan, she helped conceive and pass Karly’s Law in 2007 to prevent other abused children from slipping through the cracks. In 2012, she requested and testified for HB 2773 which resulted in broadened eligibility for DUII diversions. In 2014, she requested SB 908 which resulted in increased opportunities for expungement of criminal convictions. She has also testified for broadening mandatory child abuse reporting and jury reform legislation.

Joan now focuses almost exclusively on criminal law and is in court almost every day working with judges and other attorneys, dealing with the latest legal developments.